The lovely village of Saint‑Vérand (note the different spelling) is located half‑hidden amongst the hills in the Mâconnais region of southern Burgundy, between Pouilly‑Fuissé and the Beaujolais. Its Jurassic chalky soils are a continuation of the limestone strata found in the Côte d'Or and are ideal for growing Chardonnay grapes. Harvested by hand the grapes are immediately and gently pressed, then passed into stainless steel to undergo a slow and cool fermentation. The wine is bottled the following spring to retain its inherent freshness, fruitiness and roundness. Green‑gold in color with at once discreet, pure and vibrant Chardonnay aromas suggesting flesh of crisp green apple, citrus and stone; fine, elegant Chardonnay flavors are refreshingly crisp and mineral, but at the same time broadening on the tongue, becoming more sumptuous and satisfying, delivering a nice wallop of excellent dry white Burgundy wine.

Produce of Chardonnay and Chardonnay Muscaté fruit from southeast facing vineyards near the communes of Viré and Clessé in the Mâconnais district of southern Burgundy. The soils here are a typical Burgundian chalk/clay with an admixture of liasic marls and oyster fossils in Clessé, lending that revered mineralité to the eventual wine. Pale platinum/yellow/gold in color; vivid and fresh, almost transportive aromas that had this taster imagining cool of the morning Chardonnay berries awaiting their transformation into Bacchus' own glass of everyday white Burgundy; pristine aromas offer suggestion of citrus-flower, baguette a-baking and wine-moistened Burgundian limestone; at once both ample and fresh, supple and satisfyingly smooth in texture with fine lasting fresh flavors. A most delicious dry white Burgundy wine.

Pouilly-Fuissé is surely one of the most picturesque and, frankly astonishing areas in terms of its commanding views of and around les deux roches Solutré and Vergisson in the Mâconnais in southern Burgundy. It also produces some of the most sumptuous and exciting of Chardonnay wines in all of Burgundy. Louis Jadot purchased Domaine J. A. Ferret in 2008 following the passing and with the blessing of the widow, Mme. Collette Ferret, who wanted the domaine to remain in good stead. Attractive platinum/yellow/gold in color with alluring aromas that are both floral and mineral (les fleurs blanches and summer's rain-moistened limestone) and a hint of something like freshly baked baguette with a slather of sweet unsalted French butter and, of course, ripe green/gold Chardonnay berries transformed; slips seamlessly onto the tongue, ample, gently rich and at the same time without apparent weight, then fresh and flush with flavor of fleshy pithy berry and a vibrancy and mouthwateringness to the finish. This is for sure some 1st class and 2nd glass kind of white Burgundy. And, it's on sale. (!) Regularly $47.50 the bottle, on sale now at:

Produce of 100% Chardonnay fruit from the Mâconnais area in southern Burgundy; vinified without oak to retain the wine’s elegant aromas and clean, fresh character; pale yellow/gold in color with ultra-fresh aromas suggesting, flesh of crisp apple and pear, just a hint of citrus and a fresh delicate green herbal quality (comme cerfeuil); cool and crisp on the tongue, ultra-refreshing, chalky dry with an easy-going minerality and refreshing berryish acidity; a completely delicious quaff of crisp, clean Burgundian Chardonnay.

Produce of 100% Chardonnay fruit from vines an average age of over 40 years and planted to the limestone marl soils typical of Chablis; vibrant yellow/gold with glints of green in color, aromas redolent of ripe orchard fruits, sweet citrus, crushed sea shells and a freshening summer's rain on limestone; a touch richer than a typical vintage of the wine with an easygoing intensity and purity of flavor and a smooth texture on the tongue; delicious, if also entirely gulpable dry white wine.

The late great man of wine, Alexis Lichine, once described the folks of Beaujolais as « convivial, round-faced, rosy cheeked people » who « seem to have been created for the making of wine ». And, although we wouldn't necessarily describe him as round-faced, we've been following the work of Stéphane Aviron for the last few years with increasing interest and appreciation. He seems to be able to translate the specific qualities of the various Beaujolais crus with a focus on deliciousness and urgency and that certain je ne sais quoi. The cru Saint-Amour is located in the north of Beaujolais where the soils begin their transition from granitic to clay and limestone and where you begin to see more Chardonnay under cultivation. This Saint-Amour is, of course, produce of 100% Gamay fruit; deep, just translucent ruby in color with almost irresistible aromas that all but blurt out Beaujolais what with spice and berry and bramble and a certain drink me — now (!) —  quality; full, frontal, fleshy Gamay fruit that happily fills the mouth, tantalizes and vivifies the palate with crunchy berryish acidity that causes some serious salivation, warms the very cockles of the heart and could likely even change one's disposition from gloom to glee.

The vineyard parcels of Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly are predominantly south-facing and are planted entirely with Gamay vines that average 50 years of age on steep (48% grade) slopes of blue volcanic rock comprised of plagioclase and biotite on the Mont Brouilly. Importer Kermit Lynch has famously described the wine as resembling "a country squire who is not afraid to get his boots muddy. Handsome, virile, earthy, and an aristocrat." Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly is long among our favorite of the Beaujolais crus. Translucent purple ruby to fuchsia at the edges in color with fermentive and fleshy, gently reduced post‑volcanic Gamay fruit suggestive of a compote de baies mélangées together with notions baking spices, violet and an underpinning of crushed stone (graphite and granite); crunchy berry Beaujolais again (Henry found it more lithe and taut and all the while silky) on the palate, with a refreshing, bursting, vibrant mouthwatering intensity of flavor that is just irresistible.

Monthélie is just off the beaten path in the Cote de Beaune, juste en peu above and between Meursault and Volnay on the slope and with 34+ hectares of premier cru vineyards dedicated to the production of red wine (from Pinot Noir, of course). It bears mentioning, too, the Domaine Potinet-Ampeau are among a very few producers to release their wines comparatively late, preferring to hold them in their quite cool cellars until they feel they are more ready to drink. We feel this lends a touch of spice to our selection of fine Burgundy wines, as a bit of bottle age can certainly make for a more contemplative affair at the table. Delicate translucent ruby fading to just garnet at the edges in color with subtle perfumed Pinot Noir aromas suggesting ripe cherry, baking spices and dried orange peel (with air there came more complexity still with notes of dried cherry and rhubard); silken in texture on entry, then displays the nerve and spine of fruity acidity, a kirsch-like warmth and solid limestone underpinning with gentle but bonafide premier cru length of complex and gently intense Burgundian Pinot Noir flavor.

From old Chardonnay vines (an average age of 70 years) planted to the clay/limestone soils of a small hillside plot of just over 2 hectares well exposed to the south/southeast. Vivid yellow/gold in color with aromas suggestive of toasted baguette, crisp pippin apple, lemon preserve and wine-moistened limestone; both supple and ample on entry, then demonstrating nerve and spine of crisp acidity, chalky dry and mouthwateringly crisp; deliciously compelling Burgundian Chardonnay!

The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques (Domaine Louis Jadot) is shaping up brilliantly, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and plums mingled with sweet spices, orange rind and peonies. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, it's bright and precise, with a layered core of fruit and a long, penetrating finish. Rated (93‑95). - William Kelley, robertparker.com January, 2022

The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet with crisp blackberry, briary, crushed stone and light eucalyptus aromas that blossom with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, fleshy and harmonious with a touch of spice towards its very cohesive and sustained finish. Classy. Drink 2026‑2055. Rated (93‑95). - Neal Martin, vinous.com November, 2021

The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques (Domaine Louis Jadot) is very promising, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries, cherries, warm spices, candied peel, rose petals and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, layered and muscular, with serious concentration and rich reserves of ripe, powdery tannin, it concludes with a bright, precise finish. Rated (93‑95+). - William Kelley, robertparker.com January, 2021

Slightly more subtle, though still moderately prominent, wood sets off the very spicy, cool and elegant aromas that consist mostly of red and dark currant and iron-inflected earth. There is very good volume and verve suffusing the refined and classy middle weight flavors that brim with minerality and dry extract where the latter helps to buffer the very firm tannic spine shaping the compact, powerful and strikingly long finale. This excellent effort will likely need a minimum of 10 years before it can be reasonably approached and should reward up to 20 years of keeping. Drink 2036+. Rated (92‑95). ♥. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows' burghound.com April, 2021

The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru is surprisingly reticent at first, offering quite strong earthy aromas and gradually opening with sage, thyme and mint. I feel that compared to the other Clos Saint-Jacques, the aromatics never quite click into fifth gear. The palate is medium-bodied with the best backbone of the four Gevrey Premier Crus tasted from Jadot. Spicy black pepper and clove notes furnish the middle and the finish, which feels sustained and persistent, yet I wonder whether it will have the unadulterated charm of the Les Cazetiers when in bottle. We will find out soon. Drink 2024‑2042. Rated (92‑94). - Neal Martin, vinous.com December, 2020

The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru clearly has the finest bouquet of seven wines that I tasted from the appellation by Jadot. It is very precise and focused, showing superb edginess and impressive terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is quite linear in style, the fruit just a little muted toward the finish, but there is fine structure and detail on this more masculine Clos Saint-Jacques than anticipated. Drink 2022‑2040. Rated (91‑93). - Neal Martin, vinous.com January, 2019

The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques (Domaine Louis Jadot) unfurls in the glass with an incipiently complex bouquet of sweet red berries, coffee roast, raw cocoa, candied peel and cedary new wood. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, ample and layered, with an abundance of satiny structuring tannin, juicy acids and a long, pure finish. As usual, this will require some bottle age, but it's one of the high points of the collection. Rated (92‑94). - William Kelley, Wine Advocate January, 2019

The 2020 Corton-Pougets Grand Cru (Domaine des Héritiers Jadot) is excellent, mingling aromas of cherries and raspberries with notions of raw cocoa, orange rind, warm spices and smoke. Full-bodied, velvety and layered, it's deep and concentrated, with powdery tannins, bright acids and a long, resonant finish. Rated (93‑95). - William Kelley, robertparker.com January, 2022

The 2020 Corton-Pougets Grand Cru is often one of Jadot’s strongest cards amongst the Côte de Beaune reds and this is no different. It has a captivating bouquet with earthy red fruit, graphite, just a faint hint of menthol that emerges with time. The palate is medium‑bodied with sappy red fruit, lightly spiced with a dash of white pepper towards the sustained finish. It will require several years in bottle to show its best, but it will be worth waiting for. Drink 2027‑2050. Rated (94‑96). - Neal Martin, vinous.com November, 2021

The 2020 Beaune Clos des Ursules 1er Cru has a very dense and quite intense bouquet, a melange of red and black fruit, tobacco and a touch of graphite. An underlying marine element becomes more prominent with aeration. The palate is medium‑bodied with firm tannins, fresh and vibrant but with quite a sturdy backbone and certainly the spiciest on the finish of the six Beaune Premier Crus from Jadot. Long term potential here. Drink 2026‑2045. Rated (91‑93). - Neal Martin, vinous.com November, 2021

Les Cras is a vignoble lieu dit just south of the village of Pommard itself and at the bottom of the alluvial cone of the Pommard valley and notable for the presence of sands, gravel and pebbles in its soil. This is, of course, a red wine produced by a master producer of white wines (most always an interesting proposition): translucent medium-ruby in color with aromas that are quite Pommard in nature, what with berry, bramble and earth (with some air came a subtle spice and a hint of candied orange peel; Henry noted a savory herbal quality); subtle, supple, but with some kind of nerve and that earth and berry thing holding sway by way of flavor along with a suggestion of kirsch; finishing rather chock-full, building, gripping and, eventually, mouthwatering and delicious. Pommmmard!

An intensely earthy nose is comprised by notably ripe dark currant aromas that are cut with underbrush, spice and a whiff of wood toast and the sauvage. There is an attractive freshness and plenty of vivacity to the velvet-textured full-bodied and overtly muscular flavors that possess terrific punch on the beautifully long, youthfully austere and notably firm finish. I like the overall sense of complexity and this too should age effortlessly. Drink 2035+. Rated (92‑94). Sweet spot. - Allen Meadows' burghound.com January, 2019

The 2017 Corton Clos des Corton Faiveley Grand Cru comes from a monopole of around 3 hectares. It has quite a powerful bouquet of assertive red currant and cranberry fruit, fig jam and a hint of dates. The medium-bodied palate displays supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. Quite stocky in style, with a saline, quite persistent finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent. Drink 2024-2040. Rated (91-93). - Neal Martin, vinous.com January, 2019

Maison Vitteaut-Alberti was founded in 1951 in Rully in the Côte Chalonnaise by M. Lucien Vitteaut and his wife née Alberti, who chose to specialise in the production of sparkling white wines using the Méthode Champenoise. Today they are operating among the most highly-regarded sparkling wine operations in Burgundy from Rully in the Côte Chalonnaise, about twenty minutes south of Beaune. The Cuvée Agnès (Agnès is the granddaughter of the founders, now active in the company) is a blend of a strict selection of 100% Chardonnay grapes coming from the Côte Chalonnaise and the Côte de Beaune. Brilliant yellow-gold in color with just a wealth of fine bubbles; ultra fresh aromas titillate the nostrils with suggestion of stone fruits, citrus blossom, ultra-fine brioche just in the oven; ultra-fine on the palate, too, with a delicate froth, poised, balanced, almost spherical in shape; then, a freshness of flavor that resonates long. Among the finest Crémants de Bourgogne that we've encountered. And we've encountered, mmmm, quite a few.